Chapter 81 The Substitute: The Empress Dowager Wants to See Him?
Unlike his previous visits, Xie Changyu was extremely pleased with himself this time. This was the imperial palace, after all, and a palace under the rule of a tyrant. How could he walk around in this place so easily this time?
Regardless of anything else, as long as his life is saved, that's all that matters.
Xie Changyu, now dressed in a light blue woolen coat, stroked his chin. He then gestured to the eunuch who had been following him and asked, "What's the most fun place in the palace?"
Perhaps it was the first time he had been asked such a question, and the young eunuch was momentarily stunned. However, the cleverness he had developed from living in the palace since childhood came back to him, and he bowed.
"There are many fish to catch at Qingyu Lake. Young master, you can go there to play and relieve your boredom."
Thinking that this was someone that Chief Steward Wang had specifically instructed to take good care of, he added, "There are also many rare items offered as tribute to the outer court in the Five Forest Palace."
"besides……"
Xie Changyu became increasingly panicked as he listened. He had only asked where there was fun to do, so why was this little eunuch telling him about the national treasury? Or was this the tyrant's idea to lure him and then accuse him of stealing from the national treasury?
Thinking of this, he raised his hand to stop the other person from speaking, his eyes serious, "Then let's go with Qingyu Lake, I'm not interested in anything else."
Stop talking, or he'll lose his temper.
The young eunuch, completely unaware of his inner thoughts, nodded and said, "Then this servant will lead the way."
This was Xie Changyu's first time fishing in the dead of winter, but when he got there and saw the lake with several holes and the faint shadows of fish in it, he was instantly intrigued.
Under the guidance of the eunuchs beside him, he began to learn in a very serious manner.
Xie Changyu didn't know what the clothes were made of, but he felt exceptionally warm. He and Fu Jing often went fishing, so he was very skilled at it.
He picked up a few pieces of bait, hooked them, and then cast the hook into the hole, where it remained motionless.
When Xie Changyu is doing something he enjoys, he becomes much quieter and more focused than usual, so much so that he doesn't even notice people behind him.
Another fish took the bait. Xie Changyu's eyes crinkled with laughter as he couldn't help but smile, thinking that if Fu Jing were here, he would definitely show off.
After all, when he used to fish with Fu Jing, the fish would only bite into another ditch. It was always like that, which made him so angry that he never wanted to go fishing with Fu Jing again.
I'm so lucky today!
With that thought in mind, he put the fish he had caught into the wooden bucket next to him, then stretched his hand to the side without even glancing at the person next to him, and said, "Give me the bait."
The bait was placed in his hand at a slightly slower speed than before.
Xie Changyu didn't care and continued to casually toss his hook into the ice cave.
Before anyone knew it, a light snow began to fall from the sky. Xie Changyu was engrossed in his fishing and didn't notice, as long as it didn't disturb him.
If his parents were here, they would definitely scold him. After all, he is physically weak and has just recovered from a serious illness. He was just out in the cold wind in the light snow. He must have been too bored staying indoors.
After an unknown amount of time, Xie Changyu could feel his face turning cold when he heard a sound behind him.
"We've caught enough fish."
Xie Changyu's hand trembled upon hearing this. He instantly recognized the voice. He turned around and, sure enough, it was the tyrant.
The ruler of the country had been standing behind him for an unknown period of time, now looking down at him from a high position. He was dressed in black and red, and his expression was inscrutable.
Xie Changyu stood up, his expression stiff, "Your Majesty..."
He wondered what this guy was doing here, and how long he had been standing behind him without saying a word.
"Um."
Wei Yuehua responded lightly, then extended her hand.
Xie Changyu hesitated, wondering if this was the meaning he had come to, but the eunuch next to him gave him a wink, so he handed over his hand and watched helplessly as his hand was grasped by the other person, who commented, "It's too cold."
"After all, this is in my palace. If Young Master Xie falls ill, it will be difficult to explain to the Minister."
Immediately afterwards, a fox fur coat was draped over Xie Changyu by the eunuch beside him, and a hand warmer was placed in his other hand, but the hand that was being held was never let go.
Xie Changyu dared not mention it, fearing that the tyrant would think he was dissatisfied.
But the tyrant's hands were quite warm, so he reluctantly used them as a way to warm his own hands.
The snow fell heavier and heavier.
A large group of people followed behind, with the dignified ruler of the world leading the young man in blue, but no one dared to raise any objections.
Xie Changyu remained tense, afraid that he would lose control and fling that hand away. He hadn't forgotten that this guy was going to marry Fu Shuqing and liked men.
When we arrived at his room, my hand naturally let go.
Xie Changyu couldn't help but wipe his hand, which was tucked into his sleeve, as if he could erase the guy's mark.
He couldn't help but let his mind wander; could it be that this tyrant had taken a fancy to his good looks, even though he knew he was very handsome?
The more he thought about it, the more serious it seemed. He even suspected that he would be placed under house arrest in this place. Xie Changyu's facial expressions were very rich, and the eunuchs next to him could tell what he was thinking if they saw it.
But no one dared to look up; they all kept their heads down and went about their own business.
"What does Young Master Xie think of this palace?"
Suddenly called out, Xie Changyu composed himself, suppressing his nervousness, and praised, "The palace is indeed very grand and beautiful."
Wei Yuehua sat in the head seat, propping her head up with one hand, and asked in a playful tone, "Do you like it?"
Xie Changyu felt even more nervous. What did this tyrant mean by asking him this question? He stammered, unsure of how to answer.
With a single glance from Wei Yuehua, all the palace maids and eunuchs around her left the bedchamber, making the room even quieter, and Xie Changyu became even more nervous.
He nervously clenched his fist inside his sleeve, his voice hesitant, "Your Majesty, what is this...?"
Is this tyrant really planning to do something to him?
...No way.
Fortunately, it was just his vivid imagination. Wei Yuehua seemed to have casually asked the question and then moved on to something else.
"The Empress Dowager and the Minister's wife are as close as sisters. Now that they have returned to the palace, they will hear that you are in the palace. Go and see her."
Empress Dowager?
The Empress Dowager, who had been away worshipping Buddha, had actually returned to the palace and wanted to see him. Xie Changyu was also unaware for the first time that his mother and the current Empress Dowager had such a close relationship. No wonder his father had so confidently said yesterday that he would be fine. So that's how it was.
Xie Changyu looked up unconsciously out of surprise, and his gaze fell on the face of the person opposite him. Seemingly due to fatigue, the tyrant closed his eyes slightly after speaking, and there were some dark circles under his eyes, but it did not affect his handsome appearance at all.
This tyrant actually seems to be quite good-looking.
"He's just too ruthless. Nobody likes someone like that," Xie Changyu said indignantly.
"This humble subject understands." Meeting the Empress Dowager should be alright, although I don't know why she didn't see my mother first but him.
As soon as they finished speaking, the only sound in the room was their breathing.
Xie Changyu sat there, not knowing what to do. The excitement from fishing had long since faded, and now he just felt incredibly bored. He didn't know anyone in this palace. If he were in his own residence, at least he would have Pei Zilie and Fu Jing to play with.
Now a tyrant is sitting right in front of him, and he has no one to play with.
well.
boring.
Xie Changyu rested his chin on his hand, his interest waning. He wondered how long this tyrant would stay. He didn't want to stay in the same place with him forever, and he didn't even dare to breathe too heavily.
Thinking about it, he glanced ahead again, only to be met with a pair of emotionless eyes. Startled, he quickly looked away, not daring to look around.
-----------------------
A note from the author:
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com